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The figures are compelling: 29.3 million working days were lost overall in 2008-09 due to ill health (that equates to 1.24 days per worker). 24.6 million days were due to work-related ill health and 4.7 million to workplace injury (source: Health and Safety Executive). In the South East alone, there were an estimated 4.9 million working days (full-day equivalent) lost due to workplace injury and work-related ill health.
These levels of absence have huge costs to industry and hit small businesses particularly hard. You can use the HSE Ill-Health Costs Ready Reckoner to find out what employee ill health is costing your business: http://www.hse.gov.uk/costs/index.asp
It is in everyone’s interests to promote a healthy workplace. Here are a number of key areas employers should consider:
• Workplace health and safety: ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Recruitment policy and sickness absence management: assess the costs of sickness absence in your business, develop a sickness management policy and provide return to work support.
• Work-related stress and mental wellbeing: assess work-related stress and take action to address problem areas.
• Musculoskeletal disorders (back pain and joint injuries): do risk assessments of work processes and review methods of working.
• Stop smoking support: provide information about local stop-smoking services.
• Alcohol and substance misuse policies: provide information and access to support and counselling.
• Physical activity: encourage staff to walk or cycle to work and consider negotiating discounted gym memberships.
• Healthy eating: provide healthy options in the work canteen.
Above all, employers need to develop a culture of good health to safeguard and promote employee wellbeing. In this way, staff absence can be reduced and staff who are unwell can feel supported to return to work.
More information
Health and Safety Executive:
www.hse.gov.uk
Department of Health:
www.dh.gov.uk
Winner: Arun District Council
Ian Sumnall, the Council’s Chief Executive, accepted the award on the night with Hannah Brooks and Carrie Reynolds from Inspire Leisure, which provides leisure services for the district, and Sue Carmichael from NHS West Sussex.
Ian said: “Having a healthy workforce and supporting and introducing initiatives that help staff help themselves lead healthier lives offers positive benefits to all involved. Businesses benefit from a reduction in sick days, increased efficiency and an improved reputation. Individuals benefit through improved health, better access to services and reduced risks of disease in the future; and the NHS benefits from a future reduction in demand for healthcare services.”
Arun District Council
01903 737500
www.arun.gov.uk
Sponsor: Arun District Council [approved]
Arun was given the award in recognition of the work it has done to introduce healthier work practices, particularly over the previous 12 months.
For more information about the Arun Wellbeing team visit:
www.arun.gov.uk/wellbeing
